Happy Birthday Mindy!

  Monday, June 13 we all got together at our house for a big birthday celebration for Mindy. When you get the McNabb crew together, it's always a party! She is so thoughtful and kind to all of us and we wanted to show her just how much she means to all of us. Happy, Happy Birthday Mindy.....We love you!

Can you believe all of these grandkids.....and that isn't all of them.  They are the cutest ever, though.

 

Such a sweet picture of  "Great Grandpa McNabb, Mindy and Kalli.....

 Kaylyn and Kira loved the balloons.....

Love to snuggle that sweet baby!

Memorial Day....

Memorial day is the start of summer for a lot of people.  It has a much greater meaning for me.  For as long as I can remember, we have put flowers on our loved ones graves and visited the cemetaries.  It is always a day of reflection for me.  I am so grateful for those who have given so much for the blessings I enjoy.  My family members who have gone before me and the many service men and women who have risked their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do in this wonderful country. 

We went to Mom's for dinner.  She hadn't met Kalli yet, so we spent time holding her and taking pictures.  It was raining so mom decided not to go out to the cemetery with us.  She had been out Sunday and Saturday with Kurt and Ann.  When we got there, the rain stopped and we were able to see the beautiful flowers and think about those we love.  We also stopped in Inkom at Joy's grave and in Pocatello at Grandma and Grandpa Loveland's and McNabb's graves, too.  I'm so grateful my parents taught me the importance of remembering those who have done so much for us.  I hope our children understand the importance of being grateful and honoring their loved ones.

                                                                     Kira and Kalli

                                              Don't I have the cutest grandchildren ever?

                                                          What a sweet family.

                                                        I could do this all day.

                                 Kira loved playing with the Disney play set at Grandma Seppi's.

                                                We love being grandparents!

                                                                   Kirstin and Kalli

       Grandma Seppi and her second great granddaughter.  She made this beautiful afghan for Kalli.

                                                          So peaceful.......

Four generations.....Mom, me, Caitlin and Kalli

WICKED....

 The Broadway play "Wicked" came to Boise and so Rhonda, Kirstin, Erin, Hailey, Anna and I went.  We went to the Olive Garden for lunch before the play.  It was fun to have a "girls" day out.  The play was awesome.  It brought tears to my eyes at the end when they sing "I've been changed for the good."  I have had been "changed for the good" from the many people that have blessed my life.

 Erin, Hailey and Anna waiting for Wicked to begin.

 What cute, cute girls....Hailey, Anna, Erin and Kirstin....I love them so much!

 I had to have my picture with the "girls".

It was a fun, fun day!

Run, Ryan, Run

Ryan had a great indoor track season.  He qualified for conference and then made it to regionals in the steeple chase.  Caitlin and I flew down to watch him at the Mt. Sac relays in California.  We stayed at Cachi and Lanae's home.  It was so warm.  Ryan got 3rd in his heat.  Run, Ryan, Run.....

Here he is running strong passing up the other runners.

In the steeple chase, they have to jump over barriers into the water.

He doesn't even look tired!

Coming into the finish....

Ryan and his teammate Bryce each got a third place medal.

Are they for real?????

Aren't they the cutest couple ever?  Definitely Ryan's biggest fan!

We took Cachi and Lanae out for Cachi's birthday....Happy Birthday Cachi!

Utah Spring Game

The Utah spring game was on April 16.  Whit and I decided to ride in the 25 mile bike ride that morning before the game.  The ride started at 6 am.  Whitney met me at the Marriott Hotel.  When she got there, it was raining.  I will be honest, I was the whiner.  I didn't want to ride in the rain.  Whitney said, "Oh come on.  We've paid for it, let's do it."  I gave in to pressure and I'm sure glad I did.  As soon as we took off from the hotel, the rain stopped.  The starting point was about 1/2 mile from the hotel but when we got down to Foothill Blvd. the bikers were coming by so we just joined in!  It was such a fun ride.  We did it in an hour so it wasn't bad at all.  Made me want to start training for another one soon.

The Spring game was really fun.  Griff played a lot.  He had some really nice catches and even recovered a fumble and almost scored on it.  I can't wait for this fall to watch him play again!

Here we are....can't wait for our next ride.

Malerie, Avi, Haylie, Branson and Anna.....they are great fans.

Branson was even sporting a red shirt...."Go Utes."

Shemay (Bill's cousin), her son, Aunt Martha, Grandpa, and Uncle Alan came to cheer Griff on.

Here comes trouble......Bill and Dave!

There is our favorite Ute....#16....Griff McNabb

                                  Griff has no bigger fan or no one that yells louder than us!

                                   

                                                 Griff signing autographs after the game.

 

I LOvE Being a MOM!

I love Mother's Day.  It is a time where I reflect on how grateful I am for my mom and all that she has done for me.  I am so grateful that I had a "stay-at-home" mom.  She was always there when I came home from school.  I knew if I ever needed anything she was there.  She has been my biggest fan, confidant and friend.  I love you Mom!

It is also a time that I reflect on the wonderful blessing of BEING a Mom.  I have 7 amazing children (and two equally amazing children-in-law) that I thank Heavenly Father for each day.  I am indebted to 6 unselfish women who gave me the opportunity to be a Mom. I am grateful that we have been sealed in the Temple as a family forever.  My greatest wish is that there are no "empty chairs" at our table in Heaven.  Being a Mom is the greatest blessing ever!

My children are so kind to me.  Here are the gifts they gave me for Mother's Day. 
The greatest gift is each one of them.  I love you all with all of my heart!

School's Out for Summer!

Oh how we love summer!  No schedules, no homework and just lots of time to spend together.  This was a big year......
Erin graduated from 8th grade and will be going to Highland High School next year, Josh graduated from 6th grade and will going to Franklin next year, Jordan is finished with Greenacres and will going to Irving next year and Austin drove Sister Woodlands VW Bug to school on the last day. 

It's hard to believe that after 20 years of having a child at Edahow Elementary we are finished.  It's been a awesome adventure and they have nurtured and taught our children well.  When I went to the 6th grade program and saw Mrs. Hall, we looked at each other and our eyes started tearing and all we could do was hug each other and cry.  I will miss the wonderful people there who have touched our lives in so many ways.  I'm not going to lie though....I will not miss elementary homework! :)

 Erin with her teachers from the Academy....they were awesome.  We will miss them.

 Erin and her friend Macy....Erin had so many friends at school.

 Erin and RaRa...her best friend.

 We are so proud of Erin.....she is amazing!

 Receiving her diploma from the Academy......

Erin and Heidi Lords sang a duet in the program.  It was wonderful!

 Can you believe he called Sister Woodland and asked to take her prized car to school???

 Now that's a happy boy!

 Off to school...and thankfully he came home without a scratch on him or the car.

 Josh singing at his program....yes, I did actually see him sing!

 One of Josh's best friends, James Anderson.

We love Mrs. Hall.  She has taught 5 of our children and we will miss her.